Low-Cost Carrier Nok Air Converts 2 Q400 NextGen Aircraft Purchase Rights to Firm; Now Has 6 on Order

Brings the total number of Q400 turboprop airliners sold to 501

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Thai carrier Nok Air has converted two of four previously acquired Q400 NextGen aircraft purchase rights to firm orders. The purchase rights were acquired under a contract announced on November 19, 2013 that also included two firm-ordered aircraft and two options, which were converted to firm orders on March 31, 2014.

Nok Air is the launch customer for the new extra capacity seating option of the Q400 NextGen turboprop. This option will allow the aircraft to accommodate up to 86 passengers and offer an advantage of up to 7 per cent fuel burn per seat, as well as an overall operating seat cost advantage of up to 17 percent compared to its closest turboprop competitor.

Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen airliner, the firm order is valued at approximately $66 million US.

“Central to our dynamic fleet growth strategy is the operation of the most reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry,” said Patee Sarasin, Chief Executive Officer, Nok Air. “In that sense, the extra capacity Q400 NextGen aircraft, with its unbeatable economics and high speed, is the most suitable turboprop for Nok Air.

“The Q400 NextGen airliner will play a major role in our domestic development, but also in our international expansion as we look at new destinations such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia – areas with airports not serviceable by jets but easily accessible with the Q400 turboprop,” added Mr. Sarasin.

“We are delighted that Nok Air’s conversion brings the total number of Q400 aircraft sold to over 500, a significant milestone for the program,” said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 turboprop has been one of the top success stories in regional airline transport since it entered revenue service in 2000. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners have demonstrated time and time again that they are the most productive, flexible and economic aircraft to serve short- and medium-haul market segments, while offering superior passenger comfort and a reduced environmental footprint.”